We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Beauty Skincare The 12 Best Anti-Aging Face Oils of 2024 Plus, advice from dermatologists on how to choose the best one for your skin. By Bernadette Machard de Gramont Bernadette Machard de Gramont Bernadette is a Los Angeles-based writer who covers food, drink, travel, beauty, home, and kitchen. Her work experience spans fashion, wine, entertainment, and design, while her life experience has made her a bonafide expert in travel, skincare, and anything involving French food and culture. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on July 08, 2024 Fact checked by Jessica Wrubel Fact checked by Jessica Wrubel Jessica Wrubel is an accomplished writer, copy editor, and fact checker, working for over 15 years for various publications owned by Tribune Publishing, The Arena Group, and Hearst Communications in the areas of Food, Health & Wellness, Travel, Lifestyle, Education, and Home Improvement. Our Fact-Checking Process In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Final Verdict How to Shop FAQs Take Our Word for It Photo: Real Simple / Brian Kopinski If you’ve been looking to zhuzh up your cleanse-serum-moisturize routine, an anti-aging face oil might just be the key to keeping skin hydrated and fresh. The best formulations of these oils are brimming with antioxidants, vitamins, and other beneficial ingredients that target various skin concerns associated with aging, including fine lines, wrinkles, and dullness. We spent hours researching top-rated anti-aging facial oils and evaluated their key ingredients, benefits, and price points to determine their place on our list. We found a facial oil for every skin type, including a soothing formulation for sensitive skin and a balancing oil for oily complexions. We also spoke to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Katharine Saussy, MD, of Sanova Dermatology, for her thoughts on facial oils. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Naked & Thriving Prevent Anti-Aging Face Oil at Amazon $64 Jump to Review Best Budget: The Ordinary Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil at Nordstrom $11 Jump to Review Best Splurge: Allies of Skin CE15 Bakuchiol Firming Oil at Allies.shop Jump to Review Best Natural: Bella Skin Beauty Vitamin A Silk Night Face Oil at Bellaskinbeauty.com Jump to Review Best for Dry Skin: Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Oil at Amazon $49 Jump to Review Best for Sensitive Skin: Le Prunier Plum Beauty Oil at The Detox Market Jump to Review Best for Fine Lines and Wrinkles: Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Face Oil at Amazon $135 Jump to Review Best for Acne Prone: Dime Blue Facial Oil at Amazon $38 Jump to Review Best Lightweight: Guerlain Abeille Royale Advanced Youth Watery Oil at Amazon $104 Jump to Review Best for Oily Skin: Clarins Blue Orchid Radiance & Hydrating Face Treatment Oil at Sephora $67 Jump to Review Best Overall Naked & Thriving Prevent Anti-Aging Face Oil PHOTO: Naked & Thriving $64 at Amazon View on Nakedandthriving.com What Stands Out It’s gentle enough for most skin types and smells great. What Could Be Improved The dropper-style dispenser is less convenient than a pump. If you’re new to facial oils and don’t know where to start, this one from the brother-sister duo at Brooklyn-based Naked & Thriving is armed to target signs of aging on a variety of skin types. It contains antioxidant-rich moringa seed oil, rosehip seed oil, and carrot seed oil, which work to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and dark spots while also nourishing the skin. Apricot kernel oil is also added as an emollient to help to seal in moisture without leaving a greasy residue. We love the lightweight feel of this oil and its pleasant, all-natural fragrance. It can be used day or night, over a serum and/or face moisturizer, and leaves skin radiant and healthy without clogging pores. Key Ingredients: Moringa seed oil, rosehip seed oil, carrot seed oil, apricot kernel | Skin Type: All skin types | Size: 1.2 ounces Best Budget The Ordinary Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil PHOTO: Ulta $11 at Nordstrom $11 at Nordstrom $11 at Target What Stands Out It works well to improve hydration and dullness for all skin types, and it’s inexpensive. What Could Be Improved Some people don’t like the smell. A good facial oil really doesn’t have to cost a lot. This pick from The Ordinary is just over $10, which is less expensive than a lot of drugstore brands. It’s composed of pure cold-pressed organic rosehip seed oil, which is suitable for all skin types. It targets dryness and dullness, as naturally occurring vitamins A, C, and E in rosehip oil are lauded for their ability to boost collagen formation, reduce the appearance of scars, and promote cell turnover. A little goes a long way here—just four to six drops applied at bedtime is the recommended usage. The dropper-style bottle isn’t the most convenient, and some say it has a mild off-putting smell, but the price point makes this worth every drop. Key Ingredients: Rosa canina seed oil | Skin Type: Normal, dry, oily, combination | Size: 1 ounce Best Splurge Allies of Skin CE15 Bakuchiol Firming Oil PHOTO: Allies of Skin View on Allies.shop $154 at Dermstore $154 at Revolve What Stands Out It targets a multitude of skin issues and is a great alternative to retinols. What Could Be Improved It might be too active for sensitive skin. If you don’t mind shelling out for face care, this potent formula by Allies of Skin is an all-in-one oil that targets a multitude of skin concerns, such as dryness and texture issues. It’s a blend of 21 active ingredients, including nourishing rosehip, sea buckthorn, tamanu, argan, and black cumin oils. Vitamin C works to combat free radicals and restore brightness, Vitamin E strengthens the skin barrier, and bakuchiol helps with cell turnover to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and even out skin tone. One thing to note is that those with very sensitive skin may find this to be a little too effective (some mild flaking may occur). That said, this is an excellent alternative to retinols for most skin types. Key Ingredients: Bakuchiol, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (vitamin C), tocopheryl acetate, and tocopherol (vitamin E), coenzyme Q10 | Skin Type: All skin types | Size: 1 ounce Best Natural Bella Skin Beauty Vitamin A Silk Night Face Oil PHOTO: Bella Skin Beauty View on Bellaskinbeauty.com What Stands Out It’s great for all skin types, and the easy-to-use pump keeps oil fresher for longer. What Could Be Improved It’s only for evening use—you’ll need a different one for daytime. Natural beauty fans can breathe a sigh of relief when looking at the ingredients list for this facial oil by Bella Skin Beauty—the mother-daughter team behind the Los Angeles-based brand is extremely particular when it comes to sourcing. It contains skin-saving favorites like rosehip seed oil, olive squalane, babchi seed oil, and other plant-based oils that provide moisture and help strengthen the skin’s protective barrier. This oil is rich in vitamin A, which helps with collagen production, decreasing hyperpigmentation, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, and restoring skin firmness. It also has a very pleasant scent without being overwhelming. Meant to be used only in the evening, just one pump is all you need to wake up to a refreshed, hydrated complexion. Key Ingredient: Babchi oil, olive squalane, buriti | Skin Type: Normal, dry, oily, combination | Size: 1.2 ounces Best for Dry Skin Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Oil PHOTO: Sephora $49 at Amazon $49 at Nordstrom $49 at Sephora What Stands Out It’s very moisturizing and loaded with antioxidants. What Could Be Improved It takes a little while to absorb, so it may feel heavy upon application. Superberries açai and maqui (native to South America), goji berry, and prickly pear take center stage in this face oil from Youth to the People. Combined, these ingredients help to combat free radicals, support cell renewal, and brighten, all while soothing and providing much-needed moisture to parched skin. While the formula feels a little heavy at first, it absorbs quickly, allowing your skin to soak up the benefits of all its antioxidants and humectants. We also love that it contains evening primrose oil, rosehip oil, and vitamin E for extra nourishment. Key Ingredient: Maqui, prickly pear, açaí, goji berry | Skin Type: Dry | Size: 1 ounce Best for Sensitive Skin Le Prunier Plum Beauty Oil PHOTO: Le Prunier View on The Detox Market View on Goop.com $72 at Neiman Marcus What Stands Out It has a weightless texture, is instantly soothing, and is suitable for all skin types. What Could Be Improved It has a strong scent and is on the expensive side. Le Prunier has recently developed a cult following. Made of 100% organic prunus domestica seed oil, it's a proprietary blend of oil extracted from plum pits sustainably grown on the founders’ 100-year-old family farm in Northern California. Plum oil has tons of naturally occurring vitamins A and E, which help with cell renewal and healing, two components that can help combat the signs of aging. What’s just as important is that it’s great for gently soothing redness, brightening, and hydrating dry skin without feeling heavy—perfect for those with sensitive skin. One caveat is that it does have a particular scent that may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but we think the results from this oil far outweigh any aversion to its natural prune-like aroma. Key Ingredient: Organic Prunus domestica seed oil | Skin Type: All skin types, including acne-prone and sensitive | Size: 1 ounce Best for Fine Lines and Wrinkles Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Face Oil PHOTO: Kiehl's $135 at Amazon $30 at Nordstrom $30 at Sephora What Stands Out It gives you a glow overnight and is easy to dispense. What Could Be Improved Lavender might be irritating for some, and it isn’t very hydrating. Fine lines and wrinkles are the main targets of this potent oil from Kiehl’s. Meant to be used overnight, this formula contains evening primrose oil and squalane to fight free radicals and provide moisture, while lavender oil helps soothe skin and eradicate harmful, acne-causing bacteria. This oil also works to restore an even skin tone and add brightness while you sleep. Lavender essential oil might be irritating for those who have extremely sensitive skin, but if it doesn’t bother you, this concentrate can provide visible results within just a few uses. Key Ingredient: Squalane, lavender oil, evening primrose oil | Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination | Size: 0.5, 1.7, and 3.4 ounces Best for Acne Prone Dime Blue Facial Oil PHOTO: Amazon $38 at Amazon View on Dimebeautyco.com View on Ulta What Stands Out Anti-microbial properties make this ideal for acne-prone skin. What Could Be Improved Those with very dry skin might find it doesn’t hydrate enough. If acne is one of your main concerns, look to the Dime Blue Facial Oil’s antioxidant-rich and anti-microbial formula. Blue tansy oil helps fight free-radical damage (including fine lines and wrinkles) while meadowfoam oil soothes and repairs the skin. Rosehip seed oil is another star ingredient that adds hydration and improves elasticity while targeting acne-causing bacteria. It’s potent enough to use as a blemish spot treatment, too. We love that it’s relatively inexpensive compared to competitors and is certified vegan and cruelty free. While this does provide a fair amount of hydration, those with very dry skin may need a touch more moisture in addition to this oil. Key Ingredient: Blue tansy, meadowfoam, rosehip seed oils | Skin Type: Normal, combination, oily, acne prone | Size: 1 ounce Best Lightweight Guerlain Abeille Royale Advanced Youth Watery Oil PHOTO: Nordstrom $104 at Amazon $55 at Nordstrom $55 at Sephora What Stands Out It’s nicely hydrating and quick to absorb—only a few drops are needed for each application. What Could Be Improved It’s on the expensive side, and its fragrance might be strong for some. If you’re hesitant to use a traditional facial oil and want one that feels a bit lighter on the skin, try this luxurious formulation from French beauty powerhouse Guerlain. Its texture falls somewhere between a serum and an oil, with honey-encapsulated microbeads that contain a nourishing commiphora oil for hydration. This lightweight, watery oil contains high-quality honeys from Ouessant Island in France, Ikaria in Greece, Corsica in France, and the Åland Islands in Finland that are rich in amino acids and trace elements. It targets fine lines and wrinkles, dullness, and uneven texture, all while plumping the skin and reducing signs of aging. Though it’s on the pricey side, you only need a few drops in the morning and evening before your moisturizer to see results. Key Ingredients: Honey, royal jelly, commiphora oil | Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination | Size: 0.5, 1, and 1.7 ounces Best for Oily Skin Clarins Blue Orchid Radiance & Hydrating Face Treatment Oil PHOTO: Sephora $67 at Sephora $67 at Bloomingdales $67 at Ulta What Stands Out It’s lightweight and not greasy with a pleasant, botanical aroma. What Could Be Improved The packaging could be improved to extend its shelf life. While it might be counterintuitive to put a facial oil on already-oily skin, this formulation from Clarins is designed for those with overactive sebaceous glands. Armed with a blend of rosewood, geranium, and lotus extracts, it acts as a natural astringent to help tighten pores and balance sebum to keep skin looking and feeling fresh. Hazelnut oil, rich in vitamin E and omega-9, helps to trap moisture and prevent fine lines and other signs of aging while also softening the skin. It has a pleasant, botanical scent that also doubles as an aromatherapy treatment, giving you a spa-like experience as it absorbs. Key Ingredients: Rosewood, geranium, lotus | Skin Type: Oily and combination | Size: 1 ounce Best Brightening Sunday Riley C.E.O. Glow Face Oil PHOTO: Ulta $80 at Amazon $40 at Nordstrom $40 at Target What Stands Out It targets a number of skin concerns at once and doesn’t leave you feeling greasy. What Could Be Improved Some may not love the scent. This best-selling facial oil by Sunday Riley is beloved for a reason—it works on a number of skin issues, including evenness and dehydration. Most notably, this formula contains THD ascorbate, a form of Vitamin C that acts as a brightening agent that also helps fight signs of aging like lines and dark spots. It also includes turmeric, which helps alleviate surface redness, as well as evening primrose to help replenish the skin’s moisture barrier. Loaded with nutrient-rich ingredients, it leaves skin adequately hydrated and glowing. It does have a raspberry scent that might not be for everyone, but it does fade over time and shouldn’t deter you from the overall efficacy of this product. Key Ingredients: Turmeric, vitamin C, ginger, red raspberry, evening primrose oil | Skin Type: All | Size: 1.18 ounces Best for Hyperpigmentation Bloomeffects Royal Tulip Vitamin C Facial Oil PHOTO: Amazon $85 at Amazon View on Credo Beauty View on Bloomeffects.com What Stands Out It has an ultra-light texture and is great for sensitive skin. What Could Be Improved It’s expensive. This facial oil from Amsterdam-based Bloomeffects contains 20% THD ascorbate, a highly stable yet gentle form of vitamin C with a high efficacy against hyperpigmentation while promoting brightness. It also contains 70% of sugarcane-derived squalane, a compound that helps lock in moisture. The brand’s proprietary Dutch Tulip Complex is designed to soften and smooth while also hydrating the skin. This formula contains antioxidant-rich oils including rosehip seed, cannabis sativa seed, and strawberry seed oil as well as a multitude of nourishing floral and fruit extracts. Other notable ingredients include niacinamide for strengthening the skin barrier and vitamin E to repair and smooth. Best of all, this facial oil works on all skin types, including sensitive skin, and its lightweight texture absorbs quickly and easily. Key Ingredient: THD ascorbate, squalane | Skin Type: All, including sensitive skin | Size: 1 ounce Final Verdict For a one-stop facial oil that targets signs of aging while also leaving skin hydrated, look no further than Naked & Thriving Prevent Anti-Aging Face Oil—it works with a variety of skin types and is fairly inexpensive. If you want more bang for your buck, you can’t go wrong with The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil for under $15. Not only does it hydrate and target signs of aging, but it also works well with sensitive skin. How to Shop for Anti-Aging Face Oils Like a Pro Oil Type Not all oils are meant for the face—certain types, like flaxseed and coconut oils, are comedogenic and might clog pores and exacerbate acne, especially if you already have oily or acne-prone skin. Instead, stick to non-comedogenic oils that are easily absorbed into the skin. Some of our favorites include: Rosehip Seed Oil: This oil is extracted from the seeds of rosehips, the berry-like fruit of the rose plant. High in vitamin A, rosehip seed oil can help increase cellular turnover and boost collagen production, making it one of the top choices in formulations for anti-aging. Marula Oil: Native to Southern Africa, the marula tree’s kernels are the source of marula oil, used for centuries to treat dry skin. This oil has a similar profile to your skin’s natural sebum, and it contains lots of amino acids, vitamins, and antioxidants. It’s lightweight and won’t clog pores, making it a good choice for those with oily and combination skin. Jojoba Oil: Like marula oil, jojoba oil has a similar profile to the sebum that your skin already produces. Made from the seeds of a jojoba shrub native to the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, this oil is heralded for its healing properties, like reducing inflammation and scarring. Sea Buckthorn Oil: This oil is loaded with antioxidants that help fight free radicals, the molecules that cause signs of aging and damage to cells. It’s also rich in essential fatty acids that help hydrate and maintain the skin’s protective barrier and may help with tissue repair due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Retinol, which is derived from vitamin A, is also popular for its anti-wrinkle benefits. Just keep in mind that retinol can be irritating, and it should not be used during pregnancy. "I also like oils with bakuchiol, a plant-derived, retinol substitute that provides many of the same benefits of a retinol, but none of the irritation,” says Corey L. Hartman, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology. “And bakuchiol can be used during pregnancy and while nursing, unlike retinols.” Supplemental Ingredients and Skin Concerns In addition to beneficial oils, you’ll want to search for extra ingredients that provide the actives that target your skin concerns. For anti-aging, compounds with high concentrations of vitamin A (like bakuchiol), will aid in cell turnover and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. You may also find benefits in extracts from strawberry, raspberry, and acerola, along with TDH ascorbate, all of which offer up vitamin C, credited with brightening skin and boosting collagen production. Skin Type There’s a facial oil for just about every type of skin, including normal, dry, oily, combination, acne-prone—you name it. When shopping for a facial oil, you’ll want to pick one specifically formulated for your skin type. A heavy formulation on oily skin can lead to breakouts, whereas a too-light formulation on dry skin may require additional moisturizing. Questions You Might Ask Do face oils reduce wrinkles? “An oil alone doesn't reduce wrinkles per se but instead provides hydration to the skin, which can improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” Dr. Saussy says. “If you’re using a face oil that contains ingredients such as a retinol or bakuchiol, then those active ingredients within a face oil could help reduce wrinkles by supporting collagen production.” Do dermatologists recommend face oils? “Personally, I am not a huge fan of face oils and rarely recommend them as they can be comedogenic to the skin and have the potential to cause a few skin conditions such as acne, perioral dermatitis, and pityrosporum folliculitis,” Dr. Saussy says. “I don't think this is true across all face oils and for all skin types. If you are someone that has very dry skin or lives in a low-humidity environment and needs more hydration than serums and moisturizers can provide, I think it's worth a try.” Do you still need to use a moisturizer with face oil? “If your skin looks and feels hydrated with a face oil alone, you don't need a moisturizer,” Dr. Saussy says. “Some people feel a moisturizer isn't enough during winter months or low humidity environments, so adding a face oil can be beneficial. I would recommend starting with one or the other, see how your skin feels, and then try the other alone and reassess.” Take Our Word for It Bernadette Machard de Gramont is a Los Angeles-based writer specializing in beauty, food, wine, travel, and lifestyle content. She is particularly obsessed with French pharmacy skincare, niche European beauty brands, and clean beauty, and enjoys changing up her skincare routine every season. She spoke to New Orleans-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Katharine Saussy, of Sanova Dermatology, for her expertise on skincare and facial oils.